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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Angela D. Paradis, BA, Helen Z. Reinherz, ScD, and Rose M. Giaconia, PhD. School of Social Work, Simmons College, 51 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116, (617) 521-3932, angela.paradis@simmons.edu
Major depression poses a serious threat to the well-being of adolescents and young adults. Depression occurring during the critical transition to adulthood has been associated with significant deficits in psychosocial functioning that continue well into adulthood. The current study prospectively examined the impact of depression during this transition period (ages 18-26) on multiple areas of young adult functioning (age 26).
The 366 participants in the current study were part of a single-aged cohort in a predominately Caucasian, working-class community. Major depression was assessed by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule at ages 18, 21, and 26. At age 26 (1998), psychosocial functioning in several domains was evaluated by multiple informants (e.g., participants and interviewers).
Sixty-six participants (18%) met criteria for major depression during the transition to adulthood. Any depression manifested during this pivotal developmental period, whether active or remitted by age 26, was linked to seriously compromised functioning. Deficits in functioning included poorer overall functioning, as evaluated by participants and interviewers, and poorer psychological well-being (e.g., lower levels of life satisfaction). Those with major depression during the transition period also reported more social and interpersonal problems and were at an increased risk for suicidal behaviors and other active DSM-IV disorders, especially anxiety disorders.
The extensive psychosocial deficits associated with depression in the transition period highlight the need for intervention efforts to forestall the deleterious impact of depression on young adult functioning.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Depression,
Related Web page: www.simons.edu/gssw/sls
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.